By Secretary of State Phil McGrane
The Idaho Statesman Editorial Board recently suggested that my approach to defending Idaho’s elections and voter privacy suffers from a fatal flaw: I’m too nice.
Let me be clear about something. Courtesy is not capitulation. Civility is not surrender. And being a “good guy” is not incompatible with being a strong constitutional officer. In a democracy built on laws rather than tantrums, it is essential.
I take my oath of office seriously. My responsibility as Idaho’s Secretary of State is to protect Idaho voters, uphold Idaho law, and honor the constitutional framework that governs elections in this country. Those responsibilities require firmness and clarity. They do not require hostility.
In an ideal world, governments at every level work together in the best interest of the people they serve. That belief is not naïve, nor is it partisan. Federalism does not thrive on constant conflict; the stability of our republic depends on clearly defined roles, lawful boundaries, and good-faith engagement when questions arise.
When the federal government raises questions about voter information, my approach has been straightforward: to work with our federal partners, protect the personal data of Idahoans, comply with the law, and communicate Idaho’s position clearly and professionally. That is not weakness. It is how constitutional officers protect their states while preserving credibility, legal standing, and public trust.
There is a growing assumption in American politics that strength must look like anger, that leadership requires raised voices, and that diplomacy is a sign of indecision. History suggests the opposite. Enduring constitutional outcomes are built through restraint, careful reasoning, and respect for process, not through performative outrage.
None of this means backing away from defending Idaho’s sovereignty or the privacy of its voters. It means doing so in a way that strengthens Idaho’s position rather than weakening it through unnecessary escalation. Public service is not a contest to see who can sound toughest; it is a responsibility to act wisely on behalf of the people we serve.
I believe deeply in free speech and a free press, even when criticism is sharp. But attacks and caricatures are not the same as accountability, and they are not prerequisites for effective leadership. Civility does not undermine democracy; it sustains it.
At a time when trust in institutions is strained, how we conduct ourselves matters as much as the positions we take. Statesmanship and diplomacy are not outdated virtues. They are leadership skills, and they still have a place in Idaho and in American public life.
Being kind is not passive. Being respectful is not weak. And being a “good guy” is not a liability in public service. It is a commitment to lead with integrity, clarity, and respect for the people and principles we are sworn to serve. It is being an Idaho Statesman.
Phil McGrane
About Phil McGrane
Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022. McGrane holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.
